UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi All,

Just after a few views.
I am leaving a rented property at the end of June, I would have lived there for 17 years and been on an AST. The last renewal was in 2008. so been on a periodic since 2009.

The property(in the main)  is in a far better condition than when I moved in as I have decorated and replaced carpets , with permissions of course. My only concern is my landlord will try and keep some/all my deposit as the kitchen is in a very poor state. Its the original kitchen since I moved in and I would guess it must be getting on for 30 odd years old, I told the LL 2-3 years ago the kitchen was beginning to get in a poor state and he promised to look into it, nothing happened. I have removed some laminate flooring I laid about 15 years ago and have left the "original " flooring that was there when I moved in.(the laminate was beginning to fail so was going to replace it when the kitchen was done) and the hallway carpet has worn through (the LL has some work done and the workmen didn't lay the carpet back properly, I didn't really notice until the carpet began to look rough).

as an added point about 3 years ago I got the boiler replaced under the warm house scheme as I was eligible

Would you keep any deposit? should he keep any deposit?

Thanks
Clive

Your landlord can only make deductions from your deposit in respect of damage, not reasonable wear and tear. Furthermore, any deduction must take account of the age of the asset. 17 years is longer that you might reasonably expect a floor covering to last, on average, so if your landlord did want to make a deduction, you'd have good grounds for raising a dispute with whichever protection scheme is holding your deposit.

17 year tenancy. Around 9 years since it could be said to have been refreshed or renewed.

You're probably due your entire deposit back, to be fair - as wear and tear can't really be a consideration over that timeframe. But, what was it [your deposit] back in those days, £50?

The boiler point isn't relevant, but I hope (and expect) you had permission to do so.

hi,
the boiler was fitted with all the correct permissions.
the deposit was increased in line with the rent and whilst we haven't had an increase for a few years and it probably is below the market rent, a letting agent popped in from the LL and has told him he will not let it in the condition it's in because of the kitchen.
I used the boiler as a point as I was wandering if to use things like that as a bargaining tool if the LL gets funny about returning my deposit. All the other rooms have been decorated and re carpeted by us whilst we've lived there, the bedrooms having been done about 18 months ago.
We think he may try and withhold the deposit as he also rents the house next door and the previous tenants there had to wait  months to get the deposit back even though they were there for 11 years and on the final inspection he was ok with the place.